DANA POINT, CALIF. - The more I hear Saints Coach Sean Payton talk about the team's needs, the more I start to feel like Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells has a chance to land in New Orleans with the No. 14 pick in the draft.

For now, we're sticking with Ohio State cornerback/safety Malcolm Jenkins in our mock draft, because he's considered the better player and fills the more glaring need. But I wouldn't be surprised if either Buckeye becomes a Saint on draft day.

Payton said the safety position is still the Saints' top need, even after they signed veteran Darren Sharper last week. But he ranked a powerful running back and an outside linebacker as a tie for No. 2.

Payton did say, however, that they don't need to get a power runner in the draft. The Saints would also consider a veteran back if a good one gets released later in the summer. Or even if they don't add reinforcements, he has high hopes for both of the Saints' current young backups, Mike Bell and Lynell Hamilton.

"I like Michael Bell, this kid that was at Denver," Payton said of the 25-year-old who burst on the scene as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos in 2006 before fading away the next year after being switched to fullback. "Just from what I've seen, this kid's been humbled a little bit. He's talented, he just fell out of sorts with Mike (Shanahan) a little bit over position, possible change. I like this guy a lot."

Payton said he would feel comfortable heading into the season with a quartet of Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Bell and Hamilton at tailback, assuming Bell and Hamilton continue to live up to their potential throughout the offseason camps. But he said teams can never have enough quality options at a position that gets so thoroughly banged up - something the Saints have learned better than most teams in recent years.

Payton said he also like Georgia tailback Knowshon Moreno - who is ranked as perhaps the top tailback prospect in this year's draft. But Moreno isn't quite as powerful and physical as Wells.

"He comes away a little bit from that prototype that we're talking about. He's not quite the same size or a little bit different style of runner than Chris Wells is at Ohio State. But I think he's a very talented player," Payton said of Moreno, though he added that he can still run between the tackles. "Yeah, I think he's got durability, toughness."

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There's a real strong possibility the Saints could wind up with an outside linebacker in Round 1. Payton said it's an area of need and also pointed out that it's one of the deepest positions early in the draft.

Defensive tackle and defensive back are also possibilities, as is the idea of trading down for extra picks since the Saints are currently armed with only a first-rounder, two fourth-rounders and a seventh. Center is also one of the Saints' top priorities, though that's not likely to be an early first-round consideration.

Payton said he was pleased to have so many options after addressing the most pressing needs in free agency.

"I think that's fair to say," Payton said. "You know, we're going to try to draft the best player for our needs and ability, but you don't want to be pigeon-holed into drafting solely on need."

As an example, Payton pointed to the Saints' decision to draft tailback Deuce McAllister in 2001 when they already had Ricky Williams in the fold. That one turned out OK.

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One position the Saints won't likely reach for in Round 1 is wide receiver. Payton said he believes you can "find and develop" receivers later in the draft. And he said he likes the group of young receivers the Saints have now, led by Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem and Adrian Arrington.

"It's a young group that I know our quarterback has a lot of confidence in, and quite honestly I do as well," Payton said, adding special emphasis on Arrington's potential.

Arrington, a seventh-round pick out of Michigan last year, was having a terrific offseason before he got injured early in training camp and spent the year on injured reserve with a toe injury.

"Adrian Arrington would be a name, just be mindful of this player," Payton said. "I like this guy a lot. He's smart, and he's big. The first three weeks or so of training camp he was doing a great job before he got injured."

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One last pre-draft scouting report from Payton. Behind Jenkins, he singled out Illinois' Vontae Davis as a cornerback he likes.

"The kid at Illinois was outstanding in his workout. He was explosive, physical," Payton said. "He's a guy I think is intriguing, because I think he's an excellent athlete. He's put together well."

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Finally, an offseason injury update: Payton said he expects Bush and Colston to be limited to the weight room when the Saints begin their offseason conditioning program on Monday. Both players had minor knee surgeries following last season, and he doesn't expect them back on the field until the June minicamp. Center Jonathan Goodwin could also be limited early because of a minor knee surgery.